For many people, Father’s Day goes hand in hand with purchasing items of clothing and ‘World’s Greatest Dad’ paraphernalia. Why not break the mould and treat your dad to something a bit different this Father’s Day?

A visit to a National Gardens Scheme (NGS) garden could be just the ticket, as it guarantees an afternoon of beauty, relaxation and in many cases delicious refreshments.

NGS gardens come in all shapes and sizes, and can give great ideas and inspiration for planting in your own garden. Don’t worry if your dad isn’t a green-fingered enthusiast though, as NGS gardens simply provide the perfect setting to relax in with family and friends.

Visitors to NGS gardens will also have the great satisfaction of knowing that their entrance fee is going to wonderful causes; the National Gardens Scheme is the largest single donor to Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie, and also supports other nursing and caring charities. Earlier this year, over £2.6 million pounds was donated to the NGS beneficiary charities as a result of visits to gardens in 2014.

One lovely garden open on Father’s Day in Norfolk is MANOR HOUSE FARM, WELLINGHAM nr Fakenham  PE32 2TH

It is a charming 4-acre garden surrounding an attractive farmhouse, with many interesting features: Formal quadrants with obelisks, ‘Hot Spot’ with grasses and gravel, small arboretum with specimen trees, pleached lime walk, vegetable parterre and rose tunnel. Unusual ‘Taj’ garden with old-fashioned roses, tree peonies, lilies and pond. A small herd of Formosan Sika deer roams the paddock and plenty of homemade cakes and tea to help celebrate the visit with your family!

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Sun 21 June

9 BELLOMONTE CRESCENT, Drayton, Norwich NR8 6EJ.

Open (11-4.30). Adm £3, chd free, home-made teas, plants for sale.

1.5 acre garden with deep mixed borders of traditional shrubs, perennials and exotic mediterranean plants. A large deck overlooks main lawn with planted pergolas. Borrowed landscape with views of Drayton church give interest and privacy. Terraced upper garden with fruit and vegetables and secluded courtyard.

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BLICKLING LODGE, Blickling, Norwich NR11 6PS.

Open (2-5.30).  Adm £4.50, chd free, home-made teas, plants for sale.

Georgian house (not open) set in 17 acres of parkland incl cricket pitch, mixed border, walled kitchen garden, yew garden, new woodland/water garden and river walks

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MANOR HOUSE FARM, WELLINGHAM nr Fakenham PE32 2TH.

Open (11-5). Adm £5, chd free. home-made teas, plants for sale.

Charming 4-acre garden surrounds an attractive farmhouse, with many interesting features: Formal quadrants with obelisks, ‘Hot Spot’ with grasses and gravel, small arboretum with specimen trees, pleached lime walk, vegetable parterre and rose tunnel. Unusual ‘Taj’ garden with old-fashioned roses, tree peonies, lilies and pond. Small herd of Formosan Sika deer.

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Details of all NGS gardens opening on Father’s Day and throughout the year can be found on the free NGS ‘GardenFinder’ app, or the NGS website: www.ngs.org.uk.

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